Middle Power Lawfare : South Africa, International Justice, and the Gaza Crisis
The intensification of violence in Gaza following Hamas’s 7 October 2023 Al Aqsa Flood attack and Israel’s military response prompted a broader reassessment of global diplomacy. Longstanding geopolitical alignments were disrupted, and questions about humanitarian obligations, institutional accountability, and the limits of state conduct returned to the centre of international debate.
Key Takeaways
- South Africa’s ICJ case marks a shift from symbolic solidarity to active legal diplomacy.
- The case reflects frustration with traditional diplomacy and tests multilateral institutions in crisis.
- South Africa’s actions are shaped by postapartheid constitutionalism and deep ties to Palestinian self-determination.
- Compared to other Global South states, South Africa took a more assertive and
public legal route. - Domestic civil society mobilization and historical identity as a human rights state enabled this engagement.
- The move aligns with a broader trend of middle powers using international law to assert influence amid global polarization.
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Middle Power Lawfare : South Africa, International Justice, and the Gaza Crisis
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